Edmond eedmond



(No Model.)

B. REDMOND.

HAND PROTECTOR FOR BALL PLAYERS.

No. 368,112. Patented Aug. 9, 1887.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

EDMOND B EDMOND, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

HAND-PROTECTOR FOR BALL-PLAYERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 368,112, dated Augnst 9, 1887.

Application filed March 3, 1887. Serial No. 229,660. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDMOND REDMOND, a resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Hand- Protectors for Base-Ball Players; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Heretofore ball-catchers have used padded gloves on their hands to stop balls, but such gloves are not entirely protective, and interfere with throwing, rendering the cast less accurate than when the ball is thrown from the naked hand. Then not protected, a catchershands are liable to be rendered sore on the palms by repeated blows of the ball, and the fingers are often broken, split, or disjointed by the ball striking adversely.

The object of my invention is to prevent injury to the hands of base-ball players, especially catchers, and enable the catcher to stop and holdthe ball every time it is pitched and not hit by the striker. When these points are attained the catcher can play more efi'ectivel y, as his hands are in a normal condition, and by stopping the ball every time it passes the striker the game moves quicker and with more interest than if, to save his hands, he allows the ball to pass.

Figure 1 is a vertical view of the protector A, showing the loop-handles D D. Fig. 2 isa cross-section showing the interior of the device with the tongue B. The letters a a a indicate rivets holding the sides together at the apex.

My invention consists of a shell or frame, made of leather or other material, its vertical cross section forming a triangle from one View, and provided with a tongue and handles.

The form of the device can be best described as a truncated cone flattened at the apex on two opposite sides where the sides are riveted together. The interior can be lined with sheet india-rubber to reduce concussion. At the mouth of the protector, which corresponds with the base of a cone, a tongue made of elastic material is fixed, extending partly across. This tongue is pushedin when struck by a ball, but resumes its place when the ball enters the case, and prevents the ball coming out until withdrawn. If desirable, the interior apex can be padded to take up the force of the ball. On the exterior of the case a loop'handle or pocket is attached, into which the hand is slipped when the protector is wanted for use.

A right-handed person will use the device on his left hand, leaving the right hand free to withdraw and throw the ball. \Vhen on the hand the walls of the shell or case project beyond the fingers of the hand and prevent the ball from touching them. The tapering form of the shell stops the ball gradually.

Having fully described my invcntion,what I ciaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. A hand-protector or ball-catcher consisting of a device having an opening to admit a ball and sides to receive the impact thereof, by which the ball is caught and held independently of the grasping power of the hands of the player, the device to be held by or attached to the hand.

2. A hand-protector having a flaring mouth and a tongue to prevent the ball rebounding out.

3. In a hand-protector, the combination of the loop-handles with the case or receptacle to catch the ball. I I

' EDMOND REDMOND.

' Witnesses:

EDWARD M. REDMOND, DAVID J. REDMOND. 

